Irish youths react angrily to #InspireIreland viral video

We’re Not Leaving group believes Irish youth are being glossed over and ignored during economic crisis.YouTube

The young anti-austerity activist group, We’re Not Leaving Galway, released a video in response to the tourism boards recent viral success #InspireIreland, which points out Ireland’s successes and positive aspects.

We’re Not Leaving’s video “Brand Ireland” has already racked up 12,000 views on YouTube. Their video notes the scale of homelessness in Ireland, youth suicide, youth unemployment and emigration.

Joseph Loughnane of We're Not Leaving Galway said, “Since the onset of the economic crisis in 2008, young people have been let down by this country time and time again. When we saw the Fáilte Ireland video we were angered at how the problems being faced by young people and by Ireland in general were being glossed over and ignored once more. We felt that the images Fáilte Ireland were projecting were deeply misleading and decided to make our own version.

“We wanted to make a video that showed people how life really is in Ireland. We want to counter this image of a 'perfect Ireland' and encourage people to question the information they're being given. Most of all we want to inspire hope and we want to inspire change.”

As a nationwide group We're Not Leaving focuses on the issues of mental health, increased college costs, youth unemployment, and forced emigration. It brings together young people from all over the country, including students, unemployed youth and young workers.

Here’s the video:

Here’s the text from the video:

#IrelandInspiresCreative IrelandPositive IrelandBrand IrelandOver 6 million of us live here250 of us leave every dayIreland is called home by 70 million, but 5,000 of us are homelessAlmost 300,000 empty homes100,000 of us on a waiting listWe have the highest net emigration in EuropeWe are the most popular country in Europe – to leaveWe don't have to accept the stereotypes.There are 88 alcohol-related deaths every month1 in 4 people suffer from mental health issuesWe have the 4th highest suicide rate in EuropeYet, our health services are under attack - and, for what?We were the first Eurozone country to successfully exit an economicassistance program by saddling future generations with private banking debt.We are the youngest workforce in the EUBut one in four of us is unemployedOur social welfare has been slashedWe work for €3.75 an hourNo. 1 globally for adaptability of our workforce... we've had to adapt to lower wages and shorter contractsWe see multinationals evade millions in corporation tax but no investment in our futureBut we can change thisTá ár dteangabeoOur art provokes / our music rousesOur culture resistsCommunity existsSolidarity defiesWe are studentsWe are precarious workersWe are unemployed youthWe're not buying Brand IrelandWe're not going anywhereWe're Not Leaving!

The video they were reacting to (below) was released by Failte Ireland, tourism board. In one week it has received over 1 million views. The video is an “animated postcard showcasing Ireland's strengths and highlighting the qualities that make this country a great place to be.”